Difficult to bridle, handle, mount, dismount, ball, or drench.—Teaching the animal, with the rope-twitch, to pay attention to the word “steady!” (see [page 111]), will cure all these vices. In Chapter III. I have described at some length various methods to be adopted with horses difficult to handle. The use of the rope-twitch is singularly efficacious for making animals steady to mount and dismount. Mr. D. C. Pallin, A.V.D., informs me that he has invariably succeeded with horses that were deemed impossible to drench, in making them drink, by mounting them; sitting well forward; drawing the head round to the off-side by the head-stall with the left hand; and then giving them the draught out of a bottle with the right hand. This gentleman also advises to have a man on the back of a horse that is difficult to ball, while the operator is giving the bolus. I need hardly say that the aim of these expedients, valuable as they are, is to make the horse take the drench, or ball, at the time, and not to make him permanently quiet, in this respect.
Difficult to put into a railway train, ship’s horse-box, etc.—Use the crupper leading-rein, the rope-twitch, or the Comanche bridle (see [page 261]), or both. Before making the actual attempt, the appliance, whichever one be used, should be put into requisition a few times, so that the animal may understand what is demanded of him.
Difficult to shoe.—Use the rope-twitch (see [page 113]); lift the foot, if a fore one, with the rope-noose (see [page 88]), or suspend it from the surcingle (see [page 102]); if a hind one, with the hobble, and double cord attached to the tail (see [page 135]). Gentle the limb, and gradually accustom the hoof to the hammer; correcting the horse with the twitch, if obliged to do so. If the horse be very obstinate, or very violent, it may be well to bring him under control, by making him lie down, and, if necessary, holding him down with his head pulled round (see [page 158]).
Nervous of being touched with the heel.—Tie the horse head and tail and gentle him with the end of the long pole in the ribs (see [page 203]); or use the rope-twitch while the rider is in the saddle, and while he touches the animal, so as not to hurt him, with his unarmed heel.
Unsteady with the whip; under fire; when drawing swords, etc.—Teach the horse, while he is under the provocation to which he objects, by the use of the rope-twitch (see [page 113]), to stand quietly on receiving the command “steady!”; or use the head-and-tail method.
CHAPTER XII.
JIBBING IN SADDLE.
Speaking generally, we may consider jibbing to be the determined manifestation of stubbornness in the horse.
Acting on the sound principle that we should apply no more coercion to the animal than is absolutely necessary, we should at first try the effect of driving the jibber, on foot, with the long reins (see [page 172]). After it has consented to go quietly without anyone on its back, we may put an assistant in the saddle without giving him the reins, and continue driving the animal until it moves freely in every direction. The rider may then take the reins, and circle and turn the animal several times before taking it for a regular ride. If the horse resolutely sulks, the breaker, to expedite matters, may make it lie down with the proper tackle and hold it down, with its head turned round (see [page 158]), until it, apparently, gives in; after which it may get another trial at circling. If it still resists, it should be put down again, and, so on, for three, or four times. This change of discipline is most efficacious for the jibber, who quickly seems to recognise the fact, that the irksome constraint on the ground is a punishment for its misbehaviour. Having failed, after putting forth all its powers of opposition, to resist the one form of coercion, it will have but little energy left to stiffen its neck against the other. By adopting this plan with patience, as well as firmness, and without using the whip, except to crack it, the breaker ought to succeed with almost any jibber in one lesson of a couple of hours’ duration. The desired effect can be produced much easier in a secluded enclosure, than in the open. I believe I have been the first to employ this method of making a horse lie down in combination with the driving on foot as a remedy for jibbing.
It is not uncommon to meet with, in the mounted branches of the Army, horses that will go anywhere in company, but will refuse to quit the ranks by themselves, or to act as single riding horses. This peculiarity; the habit of trying to shoulder the rider’s leg up against a wall, tree, or other convenient object; and all other forms of jibbing, should be treated in the manner just described.
For jibbing in harness, see [page 236].